Special Service and Features
15th edition of Urban Mobility India  Conference and Expo 2022 Concludes in Kochi
The 15th edition of Urban Mobility India  Conference and Expo 2022 concluded in Kochi today.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore said that new suggestions and thoughts were required to carry the urban transport sector forward. Expressing satisfaction at the Programme being organised in Kochi, he said that the city was poised to make advancements in the Sector with the coming of the Water Metro and other initiatives.
The Minister opined that for the country to develop, it was essential that cities developed. This in turn would ensure that development spread to rural areas. Elucidating on the initiatives being taken by the Government on the occasion of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and ‘Amrit Kaal’, the Minister said that the country was on the path to becoming 'Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat, Swastha Bharat'.
Shri Kaushal Kishore said that for achieving the Prime Minister's vision of becoming a developed country by 2047, it was essential that all sectors including agriculture, health and technology developed. He hoped that the Conference had enabled discussions and interactions that had led to not only the sharing of innovations and experiences but also the generation of new ideas and knowledge. This would enable the country to become Aatma Nirbhar. He exhorted that it was the responsibility of all citizens to become a part of the process to become an Aatma Nirbhar, developed country by 2047.
Kerala Governor, Shri Arif Mohammed Khan also addressed the Valedictory Session. He said that the country's culture was remarkable in that its thought-leaders never advocated for 'exclusiveness'. On the other hand, they suggested that extraordinary brilliance, power, energy, beauty and capability anywhere, be viewed as a manifestation of the splendour of the Supreme Spirit. This heritage encouraged us to consider wisdom, knowledge, science and monuments of the mind as the common heritage of all mankind. He therefore, suggested that we must learn and share with each other.
The Governor said that mobility was changing at an exponential rate and would continue to do so at a much faster speed in the future. He suggested that for sustainable urban mobility to become a part of the development process, quick decision making and successful implementation were essential. He called for the engagement of all stakeholders to ensure this. Expressing deep satisfaction at the Conference being organised in Kochi, he hoped that it had led to the sharing of experiences and the generation of new ideas which would help create sustainable, Aatma Nirbhar Urban Mobility. The Governor reiterated that inclusivity was the key to ensuring that mobility led to sustainable urban transport. He urged that one should see the welfare of others in one's own welfare.
UMI 2023 – Delhi was jointly launched by Shri Arif Mohammed Khan and Shri Kaushal Kishore on the theme - 'Integrated and Resilient Urban Transport'. The Awards for ‘Excellence in Urban Transport’ were also distributed at the function.
Kerala Transport Minister, Shri Antony Raju; OSD , Union Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Jaideep; Kerala Chief Secretary, Dr V. P. Joy and senior Officials of the Central-State governments attended the closing ceremony.
Nine Sessions were held on Day 3 of the Conference on the theme - ‘Future Mobility - Safe, Affordable, Accessible and Efficient’. The Plenary Session on ‘Urban Mobility-Vision 2047’ was led by Shri Jaideep and Shri Loknath Behera, MD, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd .
Senior officials from the central and state Governments, policy makers, managing directors of metro rail companies, chief executives of transport undertakings, international experts, professionals, academicians and students participated in the three-day Event.
The Conference was organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in collaboration with the Govt. of Kerala on the theme - ‘Azadi@75–Sustainable Aatma Nirbhar Urban Mobility’.